The Iron Mine, Port Henry, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Iron Mine, Port Henry, New York |
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| Artist | Homer Dodge Martin  |
| Year | c. 1862 |
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| Dimensions | 76.5175 cm (30.1250 in) × 127 cm (50 in) |
| Location | Smithsonian American Art Museum, US |
| Coordinates | 44°03′31″N 73°27′00″W / 44.0586°N 73.45°W |
| Accession No. | 1910.9.11 |
The Iron Mine, Port Henry, New York is a painting created around 1862 by the artist Homer Dodge Martin. This artwork is part of the collection at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It measures about 76.5 centimeters (30 inches) tall and 127 centimeters (50 inches) wide.
Contents
What is the Painting About?
This painting shows an iron mine located in Craig Harbor, near Port Henry, New York. In the 1800s, iron was a very important resource. Mines like this one dug up iron ore, which is a rock containing iron.
How Was Iron Ore Used?
After the iron ore was mined, it was loaded onto barges. These barges would then transport the ore to nearby blast furnaces. A blast furnace is a special kind of oven that heats iron ore to very high temperatures. This process turns the ore into iron metal. The iron from this mine was used to make rails for railroads.
The Civil War Connection
Homer Dodge Martin painted The Iron Mine, Port Henry, New York during the American Civil War. This war was fought between the Northern and Southern states of America. The painting quietly showed the strength of the North. The North's power came from its rich natural resources, like iron, and its ability to manufacture goods.
The Importance of Iron in Port Henry
The hills around Port Henry were home to some of the biggest iron deposits in the United States. Many important communities that produced iron in the 1800s were located here.
The Iron Center Museum
If you want to learn more about this history, you can visit the Iron Center Museum in Port Henry. It focuses on the story of iron mining in the area.
What Made This Iron Special?
The iron ore found in Craig Harbor was very rich. It contained about 65% pure iron. This ore was known for being "extremely tough." This meant it was hard to break down into a fine powder for making things. North of this area, near Essex, New York, is Split Rock Mountain. In 1868, it was described as having the largest amount of magnetic iron ore in New York State.
The Painting's Journey: Lost and Found
For many years, The Iron Mine, Port Henry, New York was lost. No one knew where it was.
How Was it Rediscovered?
Eventually, the painting was found in an unused room at the Knoedler Galleries in New York City. Roland Knoedler, who managed the gallery, discovered it. He wasn't sure who painted it. So, he asked another artist named Edward Gay for help. Edward Gay immediately recognized it as a work by Homer Dodge Martin.
A Gift to the Museum
A collector named William T. Evans bought the painting for $5,000. He then gave it to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. At that time, the museum was called the National Gallery. Roland Knoedler shared some of the money from the sale with Homer Martin's widow.
